Perceptual-cognitive expertise : a comparison between elite shooters and computer gamers

• Main Author: Cheng, Jian Huan
• Other Authors: Kawabata Masato
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/64756
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Elite athletes have been associated with superior perceptual-cognitive expertise yet however transferability of these expertise domains into basic perceptual-cognitive tests has been unclear. Other research has found gaming to improve cognition. This study examined perceptual-cognitive expertise in elite shooters and computer gamers with the component skills approach. It was hypothesised that athletes will display superior performances compared to non-athletes, and that expertise will minimise gender differences. Top shooters in Singapore were recruited for this study and their hours of training per week served as selection criteria for the gamers group. Gamers were recruited based on matched number of hours of commitment to gaming. 20 gamers and 20 shooters participated in this between-subject study. Participants underwent 3 cognitive tests of Stop Signal Task, Tower of London and Digit Span Task which assessed inhibitory function, executive function and working memory. A vocabulary test was implemented last to examine educational standards. Self-report inventories included a physical and mental fatigue scale and the Intrinsic Motivational Inventory. Comparisons of the results found no significant differences between groups. However, a significant gender effect was found in a test battery on working memory (p < 0.05) where males exhibited a longer maximal length score than females. This refuted the secondary hypothesis that expertise will minimise gender differences. Overall, the results of the study suggest that the influence of sports and gaming expertise may have a similar effect on perceptual-cognitive expertise. Future research could develop on the link between athletes and computer gamers on this domain.